COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Blackburn (H)

Ossie, Ossie, Ossie. Oi, Oi, Oi!!!

A sunny day down Goodison way saw us assemble for a game that had a lot riding on it for the opposition but for the Blues overhauling our cousins from over the park was all that could realistically be achieved on the pitch but off it victory could well swell the coffers by galvanising season ticket renewals. Remaining unbeaten until the death could also work wonders for the club on the renewal stakes.

The day started like all the others with a trip to the ale house and while someone got them in a quick trip to the bookies and bets placed. Yet, for all that normality, you could not help but sense a carnival atmosphere as fans laughed and joked regarding our injury plight and hoped for all kind of player permutations as little was now riding on our season. Within that joviality was a sort of concealed worry that next season may be a watershed in the relationship between Club, Manager and Fans. Although most, in our wide group, have signed up again for next season many are waiting and wondering to see how the club respond to not only fans expectations but to player expectation as surely the better younger ones will be keen to see if the clubs ambition matches theirs.

Today showed we do have the framework to progress as we have a good number of positions nailed down but can we improve on the glaring few that on today?s evidence are just not good enough even against a poor Premier League side.

A poor first half produced little yet as early as the second minute a Hibbert diagonal ball was headed into the path of Beckford by a hapless Blackburn defender giving him a gilt edged chance but his execution resembled league 1 as the ball travelled high and wide. Baines got down the flank but his cross was headed away by Samba then Osman claimed a penalty for pushing in the box which the ref ignored before Jags followed up a set piece and his shot was deflected behind. The Blues were dominant but without any cutting edge and on 15mins Heitinga put the ball out of play to ensure he left the field clutching his hamstring area and allowed Rodwell to come on after his injury and see the game out without mishap. The half meandered on with little incident except for a bit of a wild challenge by Baines causing the Ref. to speak to him but not book him. (Lucky lad in my book) Bilyaletdinov set up Neville but he shot over instead of recording his second goal in three years. We ploughed on looking the better team and having plenty of possession but were quite unable to capitalise where it matters and their keeper had little to do. Osman did have a chance in first half injury time but fired straight at the keeper.

Half-time and the chat centred not on today?s game but more of what the close season might bring. The publishing of the clubs finances seems to have spooked quite a few and whilst next season seems to be assured as far as the season ticket population are concerned this summer?s dealings may well decide whether that will continue. Over to you those that matter.

Second half and within minutes it is clear words have been exchanged as our whole outlook and endeavour have changed for the better. It could be said that Blackburn had done the same but our tempo and cohesion were better than theirs and it was no surprise when the disappointing Gueye galvanised himself and burst forward but fired well over. Then Baines had a 30yarder shave a post. 10mins. in and Bilyaletdinov burst into life and had a shot deflected for a corner. Gueye took it short to Osman who no more than looked up and fired unerringly into the net. All were delighted and as the game restarted you could just see Blackburn had wilted. We continued to dominate yet sometimes being lacklustre and giving the opposition a sniff and having to douse it.

On 65 mins, Gueye was hooked and the faithful gave him a good ovation which hopefully may help him overcome his self confessed nerves. Coleman came on and in no time at all was at his best infuriating self as his electric pace took him beyond defenders and into the box only to frustrate everyone by firing spectacularly wide. In true Seamus fashion though he was soon back for more both in attack and defence. Hibbert who was having a very good game frustrated their number 20 who retaliated with a rash tackle and was booked.

On 75 mins, Coleman burst into the box and was sent flying by the much talked about Phil Jones and even this ref had no option but to point to the spot. Baines lined it up but was kept waiting to take it for some time as Beckford preferred to jostle on the edge of the box and was lucky not to be booked whilst all the time putting more pressure on the taker. Some footballers you just have to wonder about in the brain department. Baines stepped up, smashed it home, we all celebrated and it made Beckford?s shenanigans look foolish and quite redundant. Two penalties in three games. Wow!!

We were now seeing the game out with some ease but it would not be us unless we produced self inflicted heart in mouth moments and so it was when a high bouncing ball should have seen Howard take charge, instead he left it between Baines and Jags who collided in comic fashion presenting Pederson with what seemed an open goal but he carried on the comic cuts scenario by hacking hopelessly wide. It was us at the death with the last chance as Bilyaletdinov had a header tipped over by the keeper.

Final whistle and all left making of it what they would considering we were under strength and Blackburn desperate for points the game suggested we were in the better position. MotM Osman with special mention of Hibbert and Baines.

Today?s Ref. intrigued me as he seemed one of those that rile me the most. He seemed to know the rule book inside out and probably has it as his bedtime reading. I could not argue with his decisions per se but to me he seemed to have no real feel for the game and a lot of stoppages just didn?t help the flow of the game and as a spectacle it suffered.

Overall a bit of end-of-season game for us and a nightmare for them. The crowd a little quiet today although we did respond to some Blackburn taunts after the second goal went in by chanting ?Going Down? ? ?Going Down?. It was good to see both Rodwell and Coleman reappear and both seemed to cope well, in fact I thought Rodwell had a quiet but influential game in the middle of the park. I picked up my Utd and Wigan tickets and what a disparity in prices, makes you wonder it it?s worth it. ---- Yeah! ?Cause it is.

Three away - two at home. What will the points tally be? What position will we finish? How many players will be back? Will we be left looking back at what might have been? So many questions that can only be answered on the field. Are they up for it? Are we up for it? See you there to find out.
UP THE BLUES

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